Connecticut sued three of the nation's leading credit rating firms Wednesday, alleging they gave artificially low credit ratings to cities and towns that ultimately cost taxpayers millions of dollars in unnecessary insurance and higher interest payments.

<p>AIG paid out over $218 million in bonuses, more than the previously disclosed $165 million, a published report said. <a href="/quickiearticleshow/3532796.cms" target="_blank"><b>US bank failures</b></a> |
<a href="/quickiearticleshow/3532918.cms" target="_blank"><b>Banking crises since 80s</b></a></p>